Would Demarketing Strategies Rationalize Household Food Waste Consumption?

The objective of this research was to explore the influence of demarketing strategies on rationalization of household food waste “HFW” in the Gaza Strip “GS”, Palestine. More specifically, this paper concentrated on better understanding of the nature and meaning of demarketing, as well as identifying the factors that drive demarketing and develop a HFW demarketing model. To gather primary data, an empirical research was conducted with 326 questionnaires from the Palestinian citizens in the GS. The findings indicate that there is a relationship between independent variables (product, price, place, and promotion) and the dependent variable (the customer’s behavioral intention towards rationalization of HFW) for a number of reasons that were investigated during the research. The paper then concluded with recommendations for future academic studies and policymakers in Palestine

Psychological Burnout and Coping Strategies of Special Education Teachers in the State of Kuwait

This study aimed at investigating the levels of burnout experienced by special education teachers in the State of Kuwait. It also explored the most common coping strategies they adopt to prevent themselves form teacher burnout. The psychometric sample of the study consists of (60) teachers of children with learning disabilities evenly distributed; (30) male teachers and (30) female teachers with mean age (38.85)  and standard deviation (1. 28) years. The basic sample of the study consists of (108) of teachers of children with learning disabilities in order to make sure of the validity, reliability and the psychometric efficacy of scales used in the study and to validate the correlational hypotheses of the study. This sample consists of (54) male trainers, (54) female trainers with age mean (38.70) and standard deviation (1.33) years. Two main Instruments were used in the study; Psychological Burnout scale and Scale of Coping Strategies. Results showed that male teachers are more sensitive to sag feeling and lack of accomplishment motivation that their female counterparts. Also, female special education teachers are more sensitive to physical symptoms, emotional catharsis, weak work relations and the total score of the scale may be due to the overwhelming work and their social context. Female teachers are overwhelmed with pressing feelings and burdens making them subjected to psychological burnout compared with their male counterparts. Therefore, much effort should be exerted to help female teachers to overcome sources of burnout to lead sound life and to be able to endure work burdens. In addition, Results revealed that female teachers are higher than their male counterparts in their feelings with suppression of contradicting ideas and activities, seeking emotional support, planning for coping compressing situations and emotional catharsis. Positive teacher interaction is a result of school administrators and parents praise of his work inside the class and results he/she achieves. Key words: Psychological Burnout- Coping Strategies- Special Education

Morbidity and Mortality in Esophageal Atresia and Tracheoesophageal Fistula: A 20-Year Review

Background: The outcome of newborns with esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) has improved considerably. At present, the overall survival rates reported from developed countries are between 85 and 95%. This, however, is not the case from developing countries, where several factors contribute to higher morbidity and mortality rates. This study is an analysis of our experience with 158 patients of EA and TEF, with emphasis on factors contributing to morbidity and mortality.Patients and methods: This is a retrospective study of 158 patients with EA and TEF treated over a period of 20 years (between January 1992 and December 2011). Their records were reviewed, the study period was divided into two equal periods, and the results were analyzed accordingly.Results: A total of 158 patients (89 boys and 69 girls) with EA/TEF were treated. Their mean birth weight was 2.4 kg (700–3800 g). Their ages at diagnosis ranged from newborn to 8 months. Their gestational age ranged from 32 weeks to 41 weeks. Contrast study was used in 45 (28.5%) patients. Aspiration pneumonia was detected in 34.8% patients. The distribution of the number of patients according to the type of EA/TEF was as follows: 132 (83.5%) patients had EA with distal TEF, 14 (8.9%) had pure EA, five (3.2%) had EA with proximal and distal TEF, five (3.2%) had H-type TEF, and two (1.3%) had EA with proximal TEF. Forty-one (22.2%) patients had long-gap EA/TEF. Associated anomalies were seen in 82 (51.9%) patients, and 17 (10.8%) patients had severe anomalies. The postoperative complications included: anastomotic leak in 20 patients (12.7%), stricture in 22 (13.9%),gastroesophageal reflux in 18 (11.4%), tracheomalacia in two (1.3%), and recurrent TEF in one (0.6%). However, there was a marked decrease both in mortality and morbidity during the second period of the study. In our study, the overall mortality rate was 20.9%, but if those with severe associated anomalies were excluded, our postoperative mortality rate was 8.4%. Sepsis was the main cause of death.Conclusion: This is a relatively large series from a developing country. Although our postoperative complication rates were similar to those from developed countries, the overall mortality was higher. There was, however, a marked improvement during the second period of the study. This is attributed to a better understanding, early diagnosis, prompt referral, and better surgical techniques. Prematurity, sepsis, and associated severe malformations were the main causes of death. Once major anomalies responsible for death were excluded, our postoperative mortality rate was 8.4%. Sepsis continues to be a major cause of death, and several factors contribute to this, including prematurity and delayed diagnosis with increased incidence of aspiration pneumonia. To decrease the mortality rate, these factors should be addressed, and every effort should be made to overcome them. Patients with long-gap EA/TEF continue to be a management challenge, and every attempt should be made to preserve the native esophagus. Delayed primary repair and/or esophageal stretching are at present the preferred techniques with good long-term functional results.Keywords: Complications, Esophageal Atresia, Morbidity and Mortality, Tracheoesophageal Fistul

Process Simulation Modeling of the Linear Low-Density Polyethylene Catalytic Pyrolysis in a Fluidized Bed Reactor

In this work, a comprehensive process simulation was developed to study and predict the pyrolysis of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) in a fluidized bed reactor (FBR). The comprehensive simulation operated at 600 and 700 °C to investigate the pyrolytic oil and wax yields. These products were chosen as they mimic fuel range products available as a renewable fuel and energy source. The results showed that the oil yield decreased from 600 to 700 °C. This is because of an increase in the polyolefin polymer matrix’s vibration leading to an increase in temperature and absorbed thermal energy. In addition, there is a higher gas yield produced and negligible wax formation at 700 °C, which is beneficial in controlling accrued plastic waste (PW), of which polyethylene (PE) represents a vast proportion of via thermo-chemical conversion (TCC) technologies. The detailed process simulation was compared with experimental data under the same technology and operating conditions, and it was found that less than 10% discrepancy was observed between the two sets of data, suggesting a good validation between the two studies. Further studies showed that the diesel fuel lumped hydrocarbon (HC) range (C10-C19) was between 40 and 63% in the pyrolysis oil yield obtained. Moreover, the temperature profiles and fluidized bed distributor parameters were compared and investigated. The current simulation has proven that it can successfully predict the pyrolysis of LLDPE in an FBR

Variation in gas chromatography (GC) analysis in setting up laboratory protocols for waste to energy novel fixed bed reactor setups

Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) has been applied in various analytical chemistry works. However, to fine tune a system that can serve the purposes of pyrolysis oil identification has proven to be a laborious effort, especially when considering the fact that no standard protocol exists for such analysis. In addition, obtained products were yielded from a newly commissioned unit with a unique and novel design. In this study, a US patent office claimed reactor [SULTAN-1, Pyrolysis Reactor System for the Conversion and Analysis of Organic Solid Waste, Patent application number: 15,487,351] that degrades polyolefinc virgin and waste materials to obtain petroleum refinery and petrochemical feedstock, has been commissioned. The reactor produces three distinct physical states of matter products accumulated as testing specimens, i.e. solids, gaseous and oil. The samples analysed in this work were of the gas and oil produced by pyrolysis of end of life tyre (ELTs) shavings that required to have a special recipe to work with in the laboratory. Various MS cords were utilised and experimental setups to fine tune the process, and special emphasis was given on the gas samples variation in this communication. To reach the desired analysis results with high repeatability, a plethora of experiences of lab personnel and laboratory-based experimental work was accumulated. Laboratory protocols were also setup for this work. These will be detailed along the process execution which yielded a standard laboratory best practice analytical method as part of the State of Kuwait newly initiated Government Initiative project

Theoretical Investigation of the Deactivation of Ni Supported Catalysts for the Catalytic Deoxygenation of Palm Oil for Green Diesel Production

For the first time, a fully comprehensive heterogeneous computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model has been developed to predict the selective catalytic deoxygenation of palm oil to produce green diesel over an Ni/ZrO2 catalyst. The modelling results were compared to experimental data, and a very good validation was obtained. It was found that for the Ni/ZrO2 catalyst, the paraffin conversion increased with temperature, reaching a maximum value (>95%) at 300 °C. However, temperatures greater than 300 °C resulted in a loss of conversion due to the fact of catalyst deactivation. In addition, at longer times, the model predicted that the catalyst activity would decline faster at temperatures higher than 250 °C. The CFD model was able to predict this deactivation by relating the catalytic activity with the reaction temperature

Portulaca oleracea Linn seed extract ameliorates hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death in human liver cells by inhibiting reactive oxygen species generation and oxidative stress

Purpose: To investigate the protective effects of Portulaca oleracea seed extract (POA) against cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in human liver cells (HepG2).Methods: The extract (POA) was obtained by ethanol extraction of P. oleracea seeds. Cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, neutral red uptake (NRU) assay and morphological changes. The cells were pre-exposed to noncytotoxic concentrations (5 - 25 μg/mL) of POA for 24 h, and then cytotoxic (0.25 mM) concentration of H2O2. After 24 h of exposure, MTT and NRU assays were used to evaluate cell viability, while morphological changes were assessed using phase contrast inverted microscopy. The effect of POA on reduced glutathione (GSH) level, lipid peroxidation (LPO), and ROS generation induced by H2O2 was also studied.Results: The results showed that pre-exposure to POA (25 μg/mL) significantly (p <0.01) attenuated the loss of cell viability by up to 38 % against H2O2-induced oxidative stress and ROS generation. In addition, POA (25 μg/mL) significantly (p <0.01) increased GSH level (31 %), but decreased the levels of LPO (37 %) and ROS generation (49 %).Conclusion: This study demonstrates that POA has the capacity to protect HepG2 cells against H2O2- induced cell death by inhibiting oxidative stress and ROS generation.Keywords: Portulaca oleracea, HepG2 cells, Cytotoxicity, Oxidative stress, Reactive oxygen specie

The reality of the implementation of Total Quality Management in the Directorate General of Financial Affairs in the Ministry of Education in the Sultanate of Oman

هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى التعرف على واقع تطبيق إدارة الجودة الشاملة في المديرية العامة للشؤون المالية بوزارة التربية والتعليم في سلطنة عمان، ولتحقيق أهداف الدراسة استخدم المنهج الوصفي، وتم إعداد استبانة مكونه من 37 فقرة موزعة على خمسة محاور وهي:  التخطيط الاستراتيجي، والقيادة، ومنهجية العمليات، والتعليم والتدريب، والتطوير والتحسين المستمر، وبعد التأكد من صدقها وثباتها تم تطبيقها على عينة الدراسة والتي تمثلت في جميع العاملين في المديرية العامة للشؤون المالية والبالغ عددهم 184 فرداً، وتم جمع الاستجابات من 108 فردًا من أفراد العينة، ومن أبرز النتائج التي توصلت إليها الدراسة: جاءت تقديرات أفراد عينة الدراسة على واقع تطبيق إدارة الجودة الشاملة في المديرية العامة للشؤون المالية بدرجة متوسطة، ووجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية حسب تقديرات أفراد العينة لواقع التطبيق تعزى لمتغير المسمى الوظيفي، والجنس، وسنوات الخدمة. وفي ضوء ما توصلت إليه نتائج الدراسة تم وضع عدد من التوصيات أهمها توفير التدريب والتأهيل للعاملين في المديرية، والتنسيق بين الدوائر والأقسام   لتقسيم الأعمال بشكل تفصيلي بينها، والعمل على غرس ثقافة إدارة الجودة الشاملة.This study aimed to identify the reality of implementing Total Quality Management in the General Directorate of Financial Affairs at the Ministry of Education in the Sultanate of Oman. To achieve the objectives of the study, a descriptive approach was used in which a questionnaire was prepared, consisting of 37 items. The questionnaire was divided into five axes: strategic planning, leadership, operations methods, education and training, continuous development and improvement.  After checking its validity and reliability, it was applied to the study sample, (all 184 employees of the General Directorate of Financial Affairs), and responses were collected from 108 individuals from the sample. Among the most prominent results of the study was that the sample's estimates were at medium degree on the reality of implementing Total Quality Management in the General Directorate of Financial Affairs. Also, there were statistically significant differences according to the sample members’ estimates of the reality of application due to the variables of job title, gender, and years of experience. In light of the findings of the study, a number of recommendations were made such as providing training and education to the directorates’ employees, coordinating between departments and divisions to divide work between them and working to instill a culture of total quality management